Cost of living in Cambodia — typical budgets by city

In 3 bullets

• Phnom Penh: 1,100-1,500 USD/month in local mode (modest housing, street food), 2,000-3,500 USD/month in comfortable expat mode, 4,000+ USD/month in family mode with international schooling.
• Cost ~30-50% lower than Bangkok / Singapore but steadily rising since 2020. Expat prices (European food, modern condos, schooling) have caught up with the ASEAN average.
• Phnom Penh > Siem Reap > Kampot / Battambang > Sihanoukville depending on profile — Sihanoukville remains expensive on recent condos because of the Chinese boom.

General context

Cambodia operates in USD / KHR dual-currency mode (fixed rate ~4,100 KHR/USD, see the USD vs KHR guide). Expat prices are almost systematically quoted in USD: rent, schools, hospitals, modern supermarkets. KHR is used at markets and for tuk-tuks.

All figures below are in USD and reflect the situation as of April 2026. To adjust annually.

Monthly budget — Phnom Penh

Profile 1 — Backpacker / thrifty digital nomad

~ 700-1,000 USD/month

Profile 2 — Comfortable single expat

~ 1,500-2,500 USD/month

Profile 3 — Expat couple living an expat lifestyle

~ 2,500-4,500 USD/month

Profile 4 — Family with 1-2 children at an international school

~ 5,000-9,000 USD/month

The schooling item is the most structuring for a family — see the schools guide.

City comparison

Phnom Penh

• Capital, densest expat life, better-paid jobs, broad housing choice.
• 1-bedroom rent: 350-900 USD depending on area (BKK1 most expensive).
• Good European restaurants: 8-25 USD/meal.
• Traffic, pollution, noise: classic urban trade-off.

Siem Reap

• Tourist town near Angkor — quieter life, smaller expat community.
• Comfortable 1-bedroom rent: 250-500 USD.
• Restaurants: 5-15 USD/meal, good hotel restaurants at moderate prices.
• Drawback: fewer top-level medical services, few international schools.

Sihanoukville

• Chinese boom 2017-2020 then post-Covid bust: disrupted real-estate market.
• New condo rent: 350-800 USD (former Chinese high-end now discounted).
• Restaurants: 4-12 USD/meal, many Chinese or Cambodian outlets.
• Pros: nearby beach, island access. Cons: variable air quality, more visible crime.

Kampot / Kep

• Small southern coastal towns, popular with retirees and nomads.
• House rent: 200-500 USD.
• Restaurants: 3-10 USD/meal, quiet life.
• Drawback: limited medical infrastructure, long road to PP / Saigon.

Battambang

• North-western province, authentic Khmer atmosphere.
• House rent: 150-400 USD.
• Restaurants: 2-8 USD/meal.
• Smaller expat scene, ideal for immersion.

Specific items

Housing in Phnom Penh

Typical deposit: 2-3 months upfront + 1 month security.

Food

Transport

Services and other

France / Cambodia comparison

At comparable lifestyle:

• Housing: ~ 30-50% cheaper in PP than Paris or Lyon, comparable to mid-sized FR cities.
• Local food: ~ 50-70% cheaper.
• Imported European food: equivalent or even more expensive than in France (Italian olive oil, cheese, cured meats).
• Restaurants: 50% cheaper locally, ~ equivalent at high-end expat restaurants.
• International schooling: heavy item, ~ 5-30,000 USD/yr per child.
• International healthcare: ~ equivalent to FR Paris (MSH, Allianz Care insurance).
• Domestic / home help: much cheaper than in France.

On a full family budget (housing + food + schooling + healthcare + transport), PP costs 60-80% of an equivalent Paris budget, but international schooling can push the bill up a notch.

Common pitfalls

FAQ

How much to live comfortably single in PP?

1,800-2,500 USD/month allows a calm life: 1-bedroom in a good area, regular outings, occasional travel. 3,000+ USD/month = comfortable expat life with a car, high-end restaurants, travel.

And with a family of 4 (2 children at an international school)?

6,500-9,000 USD/month is realistic to live without deprivation with 2 children at an international school, 3-bed condo BKK1 or Tonle Bassac, car, yearly holidays in France.

Can one live on less than 1,000 USD/month?

Yes, provided you accept a lifestyle close to the Cambodian average: outer-ring studio, street food, few expat outings. Not advisable over the long run for an expat project — you disconnect from the community.

What salary to negotiate for a job in Phnom Penh?

For an expat manager 30-40 with family:

• Without school covered: 5,000-7,000 USD/month minimum.
• With school + housing paid: 4,000-6,000 USD/month is enough.
• Senior profile + management: 8,000-15,000 USD/month common.
• Self-employed / freelance: viable from 2,500-4,000 USD/month net.

How to retire comfortably in PP on a French pension?

Net FR pension of 2,500-4,000 USD/month = comfortable single or couple life in PP. 1,500-2,500 USD/month = decent life with modest housing and local restaurants. See the ER retirement visa guide.

And for Siem Reap, how much?

20-30% cheaper than PP at equivalent lifestyle: housing, food, services. Drawback: no French-language international school, limited medical care. Ideal for retirees or single digital nomads.

Will cost of living rise in the next 5 years?

Likely: 5-7%/yr economic growth, rising real-estate prices, sensitive energy and import costs. Expect +15-25% over 5 years for the expat basket. Local prices (markets, Khmer services) will remain more stable.